A pregnant woman and her partner were fortunate to escape unhurt after they were forced to escape through a window after a fire was started deliberately at flats in Castlereagh .

Two other women and two children were rescued from upstairs flats at the Rosewood Park property in East Belfast after the blaze was spotted and the alarm raised by a passer by in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Fire chief Brian Stanfield said people could have been killed in the blaze which began at about 00:40am.

"Heavy smoke and a fire in the main entrance hall was preventing the occupants from escaping," he said.

Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long said someone could have been killed.

“This was a disgraceful incident, which could have easily led to the loss of life of a number of people, including children,” said Mr Long.

A pregnant woman and her partner were forced to climb out a window to escape a suspected arson attack in east Belfast.The fire started at flats at Rosewood Park, Castlereagh, shortly after midnight.It began in the main entrance hallway of the flats. A passer-by spotted the flames and raised the alarm (Image: Justin Kernoghan)

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“What on earth possesses someone to start such a dangerous fire and put so many lives at risk? I am thankful to the Fire Service for ensuring no-one was killed here.

“It is important those behind this attack are brought to justice. I would urge anyone with any information on it to contact police immediately.”

Police have said an accelerant had been poured on the front door and set alight.

Detective Sergeant Kelly explained: “A fire was reported to police about 1am and we attended the scene, along with other members of the emergency services.

“Accelerant had been poured on the front door and then set on fire, causing severe damage to it.

“We are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life and would appeal for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to get in touch with detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 83 of 26/8/17.”